After a successful hosting of the 2016/2017 edition of Nigeria’s leading pure science competition – PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge, the winners of the competition who were recently taken on a tour of the corporate head office and factory of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, applauded its commitment to revive interest in Chemistry as a subject.

The winners were received by Mr Christos Giannopoulos Chief Executive Officer, Ms Joyce Coker, the Human Resources Director, Mr Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, the Marketing Director and other members of the top management team.

The winners were taken round various departments of the organisation to better understand the operational flow employed by the company in its manufacturing process.

Speaking while receiving the winners, Mr. Christos Giannopoulos, congratulated both the students and the representatives of their schools for their exceptional performance. He revealed that the Chemistry challenge was borne out of the company’s commitment to promote the importance of chemistry in everyday life.

He explained that PZ Cussons designed the challenge to help spur interest in chemistry as a subject and develop a credible succession pipeline for the industry by encouraging secondary school students to explore the career opportunities that abound in chemistry as a science subject. He admonished the winners to be focused in life so as not to be carried away by distractions and peer pressure.

In his own speech, the regional Marketing Director, Kalyan Bandyopadhyay in his advised parents and teachers to plant the seed of greatness in the minds of pupils to ensure a brighter future for the country in our social, economic and political sphere.

Responding on behalf of the winners, the overall champion, Master Ogunmola Dara, an SS II Student of New Hall International School, Lekki, noted that his feeling and experience since he won the competition has not been same. He applauded the company for the initiative and appealed for the competition to be expanded in the next edition.

Other winners, Oyelamin Samuel of Tomia Community Senior Secondary School, Alagbado and Anyika Justine of Federal Government College Ijanikin who emerged first and second runner-up respectively were also at the office to witness the “victory parade”.

Cash prizes ranging from N700,000 to N250,000 and educational materials were awarded to the winners at different categories while chemistry teachers were also awarded with cash prizes and laboratory equipment were donated to their respective schools. The competition also rewarded other competitors with mouth watery consolation prizes.

Launched in 2007, PZ Cussons Nigeria Foundation has been helping Nigerian communities by supporting projects in the areas of education, potable water, health and empowerment. The Foundation has completed over 65 projects in different parts of the country.